Anaplasia refers to the cytologic features of cells considered to be characteristic of malignant neoplasms. Anaplastic cells display marked pleomorphism, high nuclear to cytoplasmic ratios, hyperchromatic nuclei, abnormal nuclear contours, prominent nucleoli, and loss of normal polarity. Click to see full answer
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Anaplastic cells generally have hyperchromatic nuclei, prominent nucleoli, and a nucleus to cytoplasm size ratio that approaches 1:1. There is increased mitotic activity (sometimes with formation of abnormal mitotic figures), loss of cell orientation, and lack of normal organization in the anaplastic tissue.
(A-nuh-PLAS-tik) A term used to describe cancer cells that divide rapidly and have little or no resemblance to normal cells.
Anaplasia (from Ancient Greek: ἀνά ana, "backward" + πλάσις plasis, "formation") is a condition of cells with poor cellular differentiation, losing the morphological characteristics of mature cells and their orientation with respect to each other and to endothelial cells.
Examples of Anaplasia Anaplasia gives cancers a very unpredictable nature, making them hard to treat with chemotherapy and radiation. This can be seen in the two cancers Leiomyosarcoma (a malignant smooth muscle tumor) and Leiomyoma (a benign smooth muscle tumor).